Breastfeeding Help - Milk Supply Low

Hi J.,
When I was a young mom and had this problem my doctor told me to drink a beer. He said the yeast in the beer would promote milk production.

I had the same problem when my son was about 6 months old, and I tried the herbal teas that were supposed to help (they didn't). Even though I didn't want to either, I did end up supplementing formula at bed time and he's always been very healthy and happy. I think as long as the baby is getting breast milk for most of the day they will be fine.

I drink Mother's Milk tea and it seems to increase my supply. I found the tea at Whole Foods. I hope this is helpful!

Good Luck,
E.

There are some homeopathic teas that stimulate prolactin(hormone that makes milk) Not that it needs to be said but I know things like smoke lower the prolactin level in nursing moms. I breastfed both of my boys for 1+ year each. The only supp I needed was the tea. There's several brands at Nugget but I used "Weleda Nursing Tea." The main ingredient is Fenugreek seed, then Anise seed, Caraway seed, Fennel seed and lemon verbena. I am a 33 yrold mom of 2 ages 2.5 and 1.2. My doula recommended a dark beer(guiness) to aid in let down of milk(once in a while). That and LOTS of water. Good luck.

Hi J., I also had lots of trouble keeping my milk supply up. Check out www.mobimotherhood.org - mothers overcoming breastfeeding issues. It's a great website! I also found the book Motherfood helpful. It talks about lactogenic foods that will help support milk production like oatmeal, figs, avocado, etc. In addition to the Fennugreek I took Blessed Thistle. Talk to your lactation consultant but I took up to 5(of each) 3x a day. I also took Domperidone - it has a similar effect as Reglan but without the side effects of tiredness and depression. You can get it at any compounding pharmacy or order it online at www.inhousepharmacy.com. I also take Monavie (1 once) and cod liver oil (1 tbs) 3 times a day. I would also pump often - 10 to 15 minutes after every feeding which is really hard but it did increase my supply significantly. Make sure you have a good pump like a Medela or you can rent a hospital grade one from the hospital. Good Luck!!

Hi,
when my milk supply ran low I just started pumping in between feeds, my body naturally started producing more. It was uncomfortable at first and I was hooked to that machine but well worth it. Also eat more naturally fat foods, cheese avocado nuts.

You dont need to supplement with formula. Increase your intake of water. You won't need that milk making drug if you have enough water intake. You will only be able to make as much milk as you have "available" water in your system. Your body will take the water it needs for itself first, and if you are healing, excercising, up and around more and sleeping less, under stress, etc.. It needs even more water. Then put on top of that producing milk and you see that you need a huge amount of water.
People who are not breast feeding should drink 8 ounces for every 20-25 pounds of their body weight- just to maintain their own bodies needs for health and survival. (Most people don't, and most people are chronically dehydrated and don't even know it) So if you are trying to make milk then you need even more water than that- Probably half of your body weight in ounces, if not more. Note that any other drinks such as juice, milk, colas, coffee, tea, etc., DON"T COUNT AS WATER INTAKE. In fact, if they have caffeine in them, they are acting as a dieretic, and actually causing your system to loose water. 2 glasses of water need to be taken to replace the water taken from you by drinking one caffeine drink.

Maybe using a breast pump when she's not feeding would help. My son was born very early and breastfeeding took way too much of his much needed calories because it was hard work for such a little guy. I, along with most of the other NICU moms, used a hospital grade breast pump (which you can rent) to pump milk for the nurses to give our babies. We were like moo cows. It was absurd! We were warned not to overdo the pumping so that we wouldn't produce way too much milk and increase our risk for getting engorged (ouch!), etc. Maybe using a pump like that between feedings would send a signal to your system that it needs to produce more milk to meet demand. Depending on where you live, there are probably several resources for lactation consultants. It's usually easy to find La Leche League. In SF, CPMC and Day One have lactation consultants, though I'm sure many other places do, too. I know there is some sort of tea that is supposed to enhance milk production, but I would strongly suggest calling your pediatrician before taking any supplements to make sure she/he thinks they are safe for your daughter. At any rate, I hope you find advice that increases your milk supply (are you drinking enough water?). You can at least know that, after four months, your daughter has already received the great majority (if not all) of the health benefits derived from breast feeding. My cousin is a pediatric doc who does peer reviews of research for the National Institutes of Health. Needless to say, she is extremely adept at finding objective truth in research and rooting out poor research design and/or hidden agendas. When she was pregnant (albeit several years ago) she went through all the studies regarding breastmilk. What she found was that the health benefits are not huge (though there are, of course, many other reasons to breastfeed) and that the overwhelming majority of those benefits come during the first five weeks of breastfeeding. No matter what, you've already given your daughter a great gift and will not be compromising her health at all if you need to switch to or supplement with formula.
K.

Try mother's milk tea. I drank a cup of this tea for 3 day's in a row and by the 4th day I was so full I could hardly stand it! It works very well. Also drink as much water as you can stand. A cup an hour and you will have to pee all the time, but your milk will thank you!

Check out kellymom.com You will find all you need to know about increasing your supply here. Good luck and stick with it!

Hi J.,
I have 4 month old twins, and I do give them a couple of bottles a day; bedtime is one of them. It helps w/ sleeping through the night, and makes the first feeding (breast) in the morning fasy and easy because they sleep so long they're pretty hungry when they wake up, no playing around, they just get straight to it. So it's really not the end of the world if you decide to give her a bottle at the end of the night. You could also try pumping throughout the day to get enough to have a bottle of breastmilk at bedtime.
I also just started taking fenugreek because my supply was getting a little low, and after 3 days have noticed a huge difference. I'm taking 2 caps, 3 times a day, along with 1 cap, 3 times a day of blessed thistle which is another herb to help milk supply. You might want to look into that. One other tip I've recieved is to do a little shimmy (shake your boobs, basically) before feeding). Good luck!

hi...I was having the same problem when my baby boy was 4months old. I was running low in breastmilk and that really worried me as I didn't want to give him formula. When I went to the pediatrician for his 4month old visit, she told me that in order to produce more I had to breastfeed more often as well as pump at night and even though I wasn't pumping a lot I had to do it anyway. It did helped me to produce more mild but I had to stop worrying so much because I was stressing out. So my advice is to keep breastfeeding, pumping and relax. Your baby is probably eating more than what you're producing now but believe me your body will eventually keep up. So don't worry, think positive thoughts =)Good luck!

A Little about me:
I'm a 30y/o first time mom happily married.

Hi J. - It's common to have a lower milk supply at night if you have had a long day and are tired. Your body is tired so it produces less milk. So some solutions to rest in the afternoon (ha ha) and to drink plenty of water. With that done I have a suggestion for an herbal supplement that worked really good for me when my milk supply went down (I took a probiotic not realizing there were herbs in it and turns out they dry up milk production). I went to Pharmaca. The person who helped me suggested WishGarden Herbs "Milk Enrichment Lactation Aid" which works better than fenugreek alone. It worked great for me! You can buy it online at www.WishGardenHerbs.com. Good luck. I know how scary it is to not have enough milk to feed your baby....I just thought about it, you can also pump milk in the morning when you have more milk and then cup/ bottlefeed her before bed and then "nurse" in bed so she gets the comfort but doesn't really need the milk (because she already drank)....Good luck. D.

Hi J.,

I have breastfed 4 kids. All you have to do is drink plenty of water during feedings and after feedings. Feed her as much as she wants and your milk supply will be pouring out the following day, you may have to pump to relieve the extra milk, make sure to store the milk for her.

Try pumping after each feeding until nothing will come out. Even if its less than an ounce. I used a small medela pump battery and electric operated. It worked better than the big heavy duty pump I had rented. Drink water and no or little caffeine. Take vitamins on top of the fenegreek. Okay hope this doesn't offend anyone. I had a homoypath nurse tell me to let my hubby stimulate my breast by touch and with his mouth. It did the trick along with everything else. My hubby will tell you he was freaked out at first but would do it all over again if we were having more kids. Hope this helps.

Hi, I know this sounds simple, but are you drinking enough water? I had this issue with my daughter who is now 12. I just wasn't drinking enough, and I had to increase my water consumption quite a bit. Good luck, S.

When my first child was born, I was determined to breastfeed. I had issues and he did too, therefore we were not so successful. I felt terrible about it and a lot of nurses didn't make me feel any better. Through all of the frustration, my doctor told me, in a very caring matter, that it is okay to formula feed babies. There is nothing wrong with it and you shouldn't feel bad about it. So after all the agony, I chose to give my baby formula. He is now 5 and very healthy. He has only had 2 ear infections when he was an infant and has never been sick. I am happy with my decision to formula feed. He was getting the food he needed, he slept better and I felt a ton of relief. I just wanted to share my story so that you don't feel that breast milk is the only way, especially when you can't help it. Good luck! L.

I saw that you have many wonderful responces and I had the same problem with mine. I tried EVERYTHING and in the end, (SO FAR) I give her 2 ounces of formula after she has breast milk before bed. I wanted her only on breast milk like my first but she just isnt satisfied so if all your other wonderful ideas fail, give it a try. My docter said its because it sits heaver in her stomach and it takes longer to digest so she feels more full. Tell you the truth she doesn't finish the whole bottle so you wouldn't even have to give her that much. Good Luck!!!

I use Motherlove More Milk Plus drops they seem to work great you can find them a your local natural,organic, or wholefoods store. good luck

Just keep letting her nurse. Your supply should increase within a day or two, to keep up with her demand. However, with that being said, I nursed 3 babies, for 1 yr. each and I had a pretty hard time keeping my supply up for all of them. Each time I nursed, I let my baby nurse as long as he/she wanted to, then after he/she finished nursing, I pumped for an additional 5 minutes, to try to stimulate increased production. I'd maybe only get a 1/4 ounce each time, but I saved every drop (I used to call it "liquid gold"). That way, if I had to supplement, I usually had a bottle of enough breast milk accumulated that I could use, instead of formula. (I would also pump for the feeding when the baby got the bottle, by the way.) After all of that, though, I told myself that I had worked really hard to get my supply up as high as I could & then gave myself permission to supplement with formula every once in awhile, if I had to, without feeling guilty about it.

The other suggestion I have is that you may want to check with her pediatrician ... it may be time to start introducing cereals. When I first started solids, I'd give them the cereal feeding before bed, because it would fill up their tummy really well & they'd sleep longer at night.

Good luck! -S. M.

I drank mother's milk it is an organic tea that I found at the Nugget Market. I'm not sure if it has the fenugreek already in it. I worked for me. Also I'm not sure how to drink it except in beer, but brewers yeast is also suppose to help with milk production.

Good Luck!

Believe it or not...but an occasional beer will help to increase your milk. I tried it and it worked for me, I was able to breastfeed all three of my children until they were two years old, and I still had almost three months of milk in the freezer to feed them with when I stopped. I drank one Tecate every week with my last child, and I also supported one other foster baby with milk for over a year.

This happened to me at one point. Try More Milk Plus, which worked for me very noticeably right away. I used capsules, and I got them at Day One. http://www.motherlove.com/product_more_milk_plus.php

And after she nurses, pump a bit to indicate to your body that it needs to produce more milk. You might try pumping throughout the day too. That way you'd have some stored in case she does want more at night time and it's still a problem.

But she might be crying for other reasons too -- it doesn't really work that you'd be "running out by bedtime" because milk is always there.

Also, contact a lactation consultant for more help if you need it too, it's completely worth it!

Good luck. As I said this happened to me and I panicked, but it ended up being fine.

A few things that helped me when I ran into this problem with my 2 little ones: the amount of fenugreek they say to take is not enough according to my midwife. She suggested 3 pills 3x a day. The only side affect I noticed was smelling like syrup! Also stressing about it is counterproductive. Relax and do some imagery exercises maybe with your eyes closed. Think of the milk coming in and your let down. You could also try one or two pumping sessions after your other feeding times. I know, I know... where do you find the time to pump? But just 5-10 minutes when she's done nursing say in the morning and afternoon may make your supply more in the evening. And just remember you're doing great and it's common that milk supply is lower in the evening hours. Good luck!

Are you sure the milk is running low, or is it just your let down is slow? She couls also be pulling away for other reasons: she's teething, she's got gas, she's just plain tired... If she's gaining the proper weight and having all the wet diapers, then I would hold off on formula (since you don't really want to do it anyway)!

As for more milk... drink lots of water (If you drink through a straw you tend to drink more- plus you don't spill as much down your face when the baby grabs it (ha ha). Also eat lots of healthy food and especially fruits and veggies and skip the empty calories. And my final advice is to getyour spouse to rub your shoulders a little bit before you do the final nursing. I know by the end of the day I was so tired and so wound up worrying about my first baby getting enough milk that my let down was inhibited. You can also try pumping a little milk before the baby latches on... I think someone else suggested that, too. Good luck! It's something to be proud of if you can keep on nursing- it's darn hard work for some of us!

Breastfeeding your baby is wonderful for both you and your baby. Kudos to you!

The best source of information on breastfeeding is a non profit organization called

La Leche League

If you go to your Internet browser and type in those words you will be rewarded with many sources of information. Usually there will be a unit of La Leche somewhere near you. So look them up. And stay with your breastfeeding program!

Merylyn

Hi J.. I am a mom of three, grandma of three. Here are some tips handed down by the strong women in my family. Before her bedtime, find 15 minutes to yourself to sit back, relax and have a small glass of beer. Listen to some soft music or just hum a nice tune. You are baasically worn out by nightfall and need to recharge.
A nice time to do this is with that man you adore during your daughter's last nap before bedtime. You can both sit back, relax and have some quality time together. Two rules - no talking about work, no talking about money. Some nice cuddling doesn't hurt either. Grandma N.

My name is O. 30's and I have an 20 month old boy, I never had enough milk eather and tryed to give him bottle and never wated. He did not like it, I suggest you try to supplement soo she can get full. I wish they had told me it was o.k. to breast feed and bottle too. It will give you relief, don't worry if you don't have enough milk every one is different and you can try milk she likes. If you stress like I did your body just gets tired and will have no milk. Hope it helps.when the baby is 6 months you can start giving gerbers and cereals that will help you a lot and cream of wheat will help too.

Get in touch with the Leche Leauge, look up on web. They can offer some lactation help and know just about everything about breastfeeding. They are the breastfeeding gurus!

Also, with my first, I had low milk supply too...( not with my second though, she's a vigorous nurser, still nursing occassionaly at 22 months) my lacataion specialist reccomended that I also pump inbetween feedings. Use the electric medallian "pump in style", double pumper, as it works great. I'ts very time/labor intesive, but it helped.

You also might consider that she is crying b/c something you are eating might not work for her. Milk is a common bothersome thing for babies, that is if you drink milk it might not work for her, or something else. Hope that helps. C.

Try the following to see which one works:
1) Eat plenty fatty pork or beef meat
2) A well cooked soup from fresh fish
3) Drink whole mike instead of 2%.
4) Feed regularly

My mom told me some moms need fat to product milk. Once I eat fatty pork, my milk just come in less than a half day. Try natural ways, intead of medicine.

Good luck, and take care,
D.

Hi-I have found a tea called mothers milk, you can find it at raleys in the natural foods department-follow the directions on the box and you will notice drastic improvement-also make sure you are drinking enough water and that will really help too-good luck!

Hey, since your milk is on a supply and demand system, have you let her suckle in bewteen feedings and for a little extra after your milk is gone. My milk supply increases in about two days when I start increasing my feedings and suckling time. Of course make sure you relax and drink a ton extra and eat really well too. I know a mid-wife that recommends milk thistle and says non-alcoholic beer is helpful too because of the yeast they use. I really hope you're able to work it out. Good luck.
J. C.

Hi J.,

I had the same trouble around 4 months and this really worked for me:
I started pumping after every breast feeding session (initially this was like 7 times perday). Even if there was very little milk that would come out, I would attach myself to the pump for at least 10 minutes after he finished eating. Also, I took Fenugreek (which you are already doing)and ate alot of oatmeal (whole oats, not the processed Quaker kind). Within about 1 week, I had plenty of milk and now can feed my 9 month old son, and still have about 10 ounces to freeze every day.

Hope that helps.....the pumping really does help, I promise.

J.,

I encourage your instinct to resist supplementing with formula. I believe that formula and breast milk have very different structures and absorb differently in the body. I have managed to exclusively nurse my first, who suffered from a reflux problem and nursed every 1 1/2 hours. He nursed for a year.(I had to stop as I was pregnant) I then nursed twins for 19 months. When it comes to nursing it is a supply and demand system if she is not demanding your body will not supply. For me stress was something that kept me from producing milk. Learning to relax was important, plus when my children went through growth spurts there wouldn't be enough at times. I got through it and I believe that you can too. I found a local La Leche League, you can check out http://www.lllusa.org/. It's a breastfeeding support group for and of mothers. I found it great as there was a variety of situations and solutions. The women were really open and sharing about what did and didn't work for them. Another thing to consider is a lactation consultant, which the hospital you gave birth at may even have on staff. Good luck with your situation. I found that my time of breastfeed my children was some of the most precious bonding time for us. Not to mention the health benefits to both you and your daughter.

Blessings,
G.

Hi J.-I had the same problem with my daughter 5 years ago. What I did at bedtime, I would give her 4 oz of formula in a bottle and then I would nurse her to get her sleepy. It worked for me, hope it gives you some relief. With my second child I ran out of milk at 6 months...I think that is just how some bodies work!

Hi,

I have twin boys and tried to breast feed for as long as I could. I recieved the advice that the longer you sleep (naps when you can and husband helping at night) the longer your milk will last. I also pumped my milk condsistantly so that it replenshed even if the boys were sleeping. That way I had some on hand if my milk was not enough for them. It was a lot of work but worth it!

I also heard that Guinness Beer (a very thick milkshake like beer) adds to the production of milk- one in the evening is what my tea totting night nanny suggested. I can't remember why- something about the way they produce that beer. I tried everything I could. Good luck.

Hi J.,
You already have excellent replies on this subject. I just wanted to echo what others said and tell you what worked for me.
I too felt like I was running out of milk by the end of the day with my second child. I ended up pumping and moving around my feeding schedule. Seemed my daughter wasn't that hungry in the morning, so I would pump what she didn't eat and save it until nighttime. After a while I had at least a couple of extra bags of milk for her. The quality of the pump really matters. I had a Medela that pumped both sides at once, I would recommend plunking down more than $150 (more like $200+) and get a really good pump.
Also, drink tons of water.
Good Luck!

Jen-
I'm a breastfeeding mom of a 8 1/2 month old girl. I am also taking the Reglan. Fenugreek helped for a while but then stopped. It also makes your sweat smell like maple syrup when you're at the optimal dose. Try pumping after breastfeeding and more often. Supply and demand. The Reglan worked the best for me. I went form pumping 2 ounces a day to 15 ounces a day. The reglan shouldn't take much time.

J.

Hi Jeniffer, I read your posting and I wanted to let tou know of a possible solution to your problem. I hope it will help, first of all you need to increase your fluid intake and you might want to try having a cup of non-alcoholic beer, yes beer! My mother was an old fashion mexican lady that had all of these old-wives tales,but it works. There is something about the beer (the yeast) that for some reason it helps with milk production. She also made us eat a lot of oatmeal with lots of milk, it seemed to work for us. So, I guess it wont hurt you to try it. Back in the days they use to drink the real thing with alcohol, thank God they now have non-alcoholic beer which still has the yeast in it. GOOD LUCK! And I hope this helps.
A.

J.,
I had breastfeeding problems with my daughter. I have 2 resources for you. Pat Bonasera a lactation consultant at Good Samaritan Hospital at 408-559-BABY (2229). She is the BEST!!! Also, Pam Caldwell from www.herblore.com. She is very intuitive and you can have a consultation on the phone with her. Her phone number will be on her webpage. Good luck! A.

I breastfed all four of my children. i know athing or two about milk supply. I would increase breastfeeding as much as possible and pump for 10-15mins in between feedings. Even if no milk is coming out when you pump still pump for the 10-15 minutes. Breast milk works on supply and demand. If there is a large demand, then your body will naturally make more milk. It may take a couple of days but you will make more milk. Resist the urge to use formula that is the worst thing you could if your really trying to breastfeed.

Have you ever thought something else might be going on with her and maybe she pulls away from the breast for a different reason?

Fenugreek is a wonderful supplement that increases breast milk production and also for the health of you and your child!!! Love, G.. :0)
P.S. Google: breatsmilk production & fenugreek

Hi J. - First, I'd suggest contacting a local hospital and consulting with a lactation consultant. In most areas you can find a free breastfeeding support group offered once or twice a week. You can go there, ask your questions, weigh your child on a very sensitive scale just before feeding and again after (to see exactly how many ounces she's getting) and generally get some reassurance that she's doing OK.

If you can't find something like that, try to find a Le Leche League group or leader you can phone.

My sons are 3 & 6 now, but I remember those early days of breastfeeding clearly. It can be scary not knowing how much food your child is getting and it seems that there are a lot of people (even doctors) out there who are quick to recommend formula. Beware. Once you start on formula, the delicate balance of supply and demand is compromised and your body will not make enough milk for your child any longer.

At 4 months your daughter may be going through a growth spurt. This happens at regular intervals. You can tell it's happening by the signs you mentioned in your posting. She doesn't seem satisfied. She wants more. It feels like you don't have enough milk. She wants to nurse CONSTANTLY for a day or a few days. This is all NORMAL. It's nature's way of "priming the pump" so that mom makes more milk for baby's growing body.

If you have a breast pump, and you are really concerned and want to do something else beyond the lactogogues you are using, try pumping (both sides at the same time) for 10 minutes immediately AFTER she is finished nursing. It's likely you will not produce much. But your body will think you have a very hungry baby and will work harder to make more milk.

Another thing to try would be a "nurse and nap." Rather than trying to nap when you don't feel like it, "give in to your urge to sleep" in the afternoon. Lie down with your daughter and nurse and nap together. This will give her extended nursing time, you can rest, and it will be easier for your body to produce the milk she needs.

Also, as others have mentioned, drink lots of water.

Good luck. You are doing a wonderful thing and giving your daughter a great start on life.

Hi there,

So sorry about that I know how stressful it can be when you don't feel like you can satisfy your child. I would suggest that you pump about a half an hour after each feeding after noon until you go to bed. You will have a bottle in reserve if you she is still hungry but after about a week or so your supply will be greatly increased. be careful to not put your self back into engorgement.

Also be sure you are eating and drinking enough through out your day.

good luck
V.

hi J., I am a mom of 4 wonderful and healthy kids and I breastfed all of them when they were babies. My suggestions for you is to drink a glass or two of freshly extract carrot juice everyday. It helps me a lot because my 2nd son cannot drink formula or canned milk. He is allergic to cows milk. I tried Lactose free milk but still he doesn't like it. So I breastfed him for 2 1/2 years. And carrot juice really works.
Don't forget also to eat a lot of soup, it will help you regain your energy. And if shell food (clams, etc)is available, try some too. Ask you doctor about calcium or you can buy it from the pharmacy "Oscal" for your bones and teeth. Take care of yourself while your taking care of your baby. Breast pump and massaging your breast will contribute a lot too. Just remember, take time to rest and be happy.
I hope these could help you. Good luck!
M. SD

My milk got low when I wasn't getting enough fat calories. After eating foods like eggs & milk other than non-fat, some cheese and other fatty protein foods it increased in 3 days. This was something the Dr. recommened. My body just could not turn my fat into milk fast enough. Mother's Milk Tea is also good. You need your rest too, as I'm sure you know. Take Care, J.

DRINK WATER!!! 10 or more cups a day.
Good Luck!

Hi there! I am not a doctor - but I did breastfeed my daughter for 18 months. First, please make sure your doctor is aware of the herb you are taking (while on the Reglan). Most herbs have not been tested to see what effects it can have on breastmilk, and many of us unintentionally pass things on to our babies without realizing it. Also, this sounds wierd, but what you take/eat can also change how your breastmilk tastes to the baby - making her not want it - or giving her gas, or tummy upset.

My daughter's nursing habits changed a lot too. (I felt like a huge boob for over 8 months!) But, it's important to realize that she is eating on her schedule and that means that she may only want a little every so often and more at other times.

I applaud you for not wanting to supplement with formula - it isn't natural, and breastmilk will help your daughter with bigger problems (like asthma and allergies) later in life.

Good luck!!

Unlike Fenugreek which was producing tummy gas in my newborn, Healthy nursing tea increased my supply and didn't do any harm to my baby.

they asian inlaws i have swear that black pepper, especially made into a soup, increases milk. i found it to be true, though had no troubles myself. also avoid oily foods, they dry you up. drink the pepper in the soup, it is also a digestive aid, so double usefull. hope it helps.

Pump - it will make your body produce more milk. After feedings, pump for ten minutes. Additionally, anytime you want to produce milk, say 8pm, pump each night at that time for 10 minutes and then your body will begin producing milk at that time.
Good-luck!
~ D.

Hi J.,
I am a working mom of an 8 month old. I was very concerned about not producing enough milk. Just taking the fenugreek helped. I also tried Mother's Milk (you can find it at natrual food stores) and it worked almost instantly. The pills were very expensive so I used the liquid form, which doesn't taste great but I works!! Do you have a good pump? I have a medel pump and style (I highly recommend it if you need to pump a lot). I would recommend pumping after you feed your daughter. I know it seems like nothing is there, but it is telling your brain and body to produce more milk. If you pump everytime after she eats for a few days, your body will probably produce more milk because you will have tricked it into thinking it needs it!!

Good Luck! Don't get discouraged!! And remember to relax, it will help your milk supply!

Hi. A couple things I would try. First, I would try to eat a lot of oatmeal and red raspberries they seem to work for me big time. Reglan works, but you have to nurse more often than your normal routine.
Second, you could try switching her more often between breasts. Lets say she starts nursing on the left breast. Then mid way switch her to the right beast. Then when she's done with the right breast then put her back on the left breast. You will produce more milk that way.
Also, if you have a pump. In the morning when you have the most milk you could have her nurse and pump the other breast at the same time. Then you could freeze it or put it in the fridge for later that night. Hope that helps.

One thing that I know helps is pumping in between breastfeeding. With my DS I would pump right after I breastfed, that would also be a good way to see if their is something else going on. My DS would stop eating and then I would pump. Come to find out he was just working so hard to nurse that he would get tired and stop. It got to a point that I would breastfeed as long as he would, then pump, then give him the pumped milk in a bottle. If you have concerns, their is a great Lactation consultant in Folsom and she was so helpful to me.
good luck

Supplement with formula, it's really not worth stressing over. She will be FINE.

I went through the same thing and was determined to not supplement. But, in the end, I did introduce formula and stopped breastfeeding by five and a half months (I had planned on nursing for at least a year) because I was making both my daughter and I miserable. Some of the other things I tried was pumping every 2 hours if I hadn't nursed and I drank Mother's Milk tea nonstop, I ate brewer's yeast (the effective part of beer,) ate from a list of foods recommended for nursing mothers all to no avail. My advice it not to make yourself crazy trying to increase your milk production and not to beat yourself up if it doesn't work. Good luck and my you not have to supplement.

Hi J.,

I found fenugreek really helped me up my milk supply, are you taking it with each meal. Also drink plenty of water, and take a nap in the afternoon. Your body doesn't produce as much milk when it's tired. You could also pump to increase your supply. I would look up the la leche league website for more ideas.

Are you sure about the Reglan? That's primarily an anti-nausea/vomiting medicine - one of it's side affects, of which there are plenty by the way, is to create a milk discharge.

I tried it for a few days for my son, who has acid reflux, to increase his motility, but then took him off of it when it didn't seem to have much impact and learned about all of it's nasty side affects. If I remember correctly, it passes through your breastmilk. Watch your daughter carefully for side effects if you continue using it.

P.

Hi J.~ Congratulations on the birth of your daughter. It is apparent that you are smitten and completely in love. First~ if I may, as you read this take a Long Slow Deep Breath and EXHALE. One of the primary reasons a mamabody has diminished milk production, especially at the time you say is exhaustion. I found that every time I rested in the mid-afternoon (after a two-teabag infusion of mama milk tea) my milk production was increased in the early evening. Rest, preferrably in the way of napping. (even 3o minutes). will make a difference.
Another reason milk supply diminishes is inadequate nutrition. The first 2 months after my son was born (in Dec) I had my partner or mom make me a Malt, made with Eggnog, Vanilla Ice Cream, Brewer's Yeast and Carnation Malt and Flax Seed Oil. (I did this because after a chocolate malted from Barney's I had a huge response).
Also, hands down, animal bone broth soups (especially pork or lamb, or ox-tail) will also increase milk supply.
The Reglan will most likely not take care of the problem and in the long run may add to the diminishing milk supply.
If you have more questions please email me directly. ____@____.com

This would happen to me, too. If you are serious about "doing anything to get more milk," I strongly recommend a nice nap after lunch. I know it's your only time to get anything done, but that might be what it takes.

The alternative is to have dad give her a bottle of formula in the evenings. Besides helping with her hunger, this can be quite freeing, allowing you to go out for the occaisional evening.

Remember, something is better than nothing!

The biggest culprit is stress. If you are feeling inadequate, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Get lots of rest. Drink at least three liters of water a day. Eat well. And maybe try pumping between feedings in the day to stimulate your supply. She's probably going through a growth spurt. You'll catch up with her.

I just went through exactly the same thing with my 5 1/2 mth old....I think it was a growth spurt because he is back to normal. After several days of crazy feeding....he started wanting to eat every 1 at night....I added a little cereal to his diet at night. It helped. My milk supply is fine and was at the time but he just needed more....We are back on the same schedule again.

So, patience....breath...relax...drink plenty of fluids...extra pumpings...she will get your milk back on schedule for her needs....but, not may not be the time to supplement...you need to put her to your breast as often as possible for your body to understand what it needs to do.

I successfully nursed 2 children past teeth and solid food...through biting...growth spurts...everything...there are more adjustments to come....don't worry.

Hi I am a mom of a 16 month old who is still breastfeeding. Make sure you are drinking a lot of water. If you don't drink enough you won't make enough. I drink water constantly all day long. You can also go to a good Health Food store and a supplment called Lactation Easy it has herbs to help with producing more. I don't know where you live but I have a great Health Food store in Redwood City in the Sequia Station called Apple Health. They are great there. Full of information. Give them a call and try the herbs. My hair dresser has a son just younger than mine and she was having the same problem. I gave her the same advice and she starting producing more and had enough. Try to stay away from formula unless you don't have enough cream in your milk.
Good luck
R. Osinek

Hi, J.!

Congrats on Baby! I have two, and breastfed each for at least one and one-half years.

I wanted to urgently warn you about Reglan. I took it for eight weeks after a stomach surgery. During those eight weeks, I developed major depression,detachment disorder, and anxiety attacks. I did not have a history with any of these. It had been prescribed to me to help regulate my bowel system, but because it works through the dopamine action in the brain, it is also used as a depressant. When I discovered Reglan was the cause of my frightening issues, I immediately stopped taking it and experienced three internal infections and blood sugar problems for several weeks, confirmed as being linked to the withdrawal of the medication. I am sensitive to medications, but if you research Reglan on the web, you'll find other frightening studies about it.

What I'm wondering about, if Reglan is a depressant, is it possible it could be actually harming your milk supply? I am not a scientist, but I am wary now about synthetic medicines.

Hope this was helpful. It was meant well.

It's been a while since I nursed my two children, but I do remember how frustrating it is to run out of milk. It happened to me when I went back to work part time. In the long run it worked out well to supplement with formula because the girls both weaned themselves at 8 months without any drama or torture. The babies got what they needed and kept getting my antibodies. Also, my husband could provide feedings and that was so good for their bond.

Hi J.. I know you have gotten a lot of responses but here are my 2 cents. I have 1 yr old twins and have just recently gone to pumping in the AM and PM to start weaning. I only pumped after about 2 months because I just couldn't do it by myself with 2 when my husband was at work and my family left. I am a labor and delivery nurse so I knew to start pumping right away...especially having 2 to feed. After each feed I would pump for 10 to 15 minutes. Everyone is right it is supply and demand. At first you won't be getting much out but just watch the clock. Don't stop when the milk flow stops, massage your breast to try to get more out. You are trying to increase your supply so you need the stimulation from the pump. This is how you can also get a supply in your freezer so that you can go out every once and awhile and you can have breast milk for who ever watches your child. (like your husband) :) My husband liked it too because he could participate in the feedings also. A supply in the freezer is great to have. It lets you have a little bit of flexability if you don't have your baby with you. Then you just bring your pump with you or you just feed when you get home or pump if it isn't time. It does take a little extra time but it is worth every minute. Also when your baby goes through a growth spurt you will also have extra milk to suppelment with if you need to until your body can catch up with her demand. It takes a few days. But remember to pump after you feed. I would wait about an hour before I would pump.

You make more milk when you are sleeping so making sure you are well rested and taking naps will help. The other comments about keeping hydrated is a big thing too. You need to drink PLENTY of water. You won't make milk if you don't have the fluid to make it. Also if your baby is sleeping through the night don't let more then 6 to 8 hours go by without feeding/pumping. I could go eight without noticing a difference in my supply but every mother is different.

Some women just never make enough milk no matter what they do and never figure out why. So don't feel bad if you can't get your supply up. But is sounds like you were doing just fine before so I would lean more towards maybe she is having a growth spurt or you have changed your routine like stress, lack of sleep, not drinking enough water, sometimes docs will put you on the "mini" pill for birthcontrol which you are supposed to be able to breast feed with but I couldn't take it because my supply went down with it. I needed a much larger supply then most but just think about it and see if anything has changed recently. She will have more growth spurts in the months to come so just hang in there. You can also start rice cereal at 4 to 6 months. So maybe a little of that will help at bedtime until you can get your supply up. I started mine on it when they started waking up again in the middle of the night acting like they were hungry and that was 4 months. It helped.

Well, I hope some of this helped. If you have any more questions feel free to ask me and I will do my best to try to help if I can. Good luck!

E.

Sometimes it is the obvious stuff that we forget. Are you drinking enough water? Are you eating enough? I always feel like my milk supply is not as high when I am not taking good enough care of myself. Also, try not to stress about it too much, as that will reduce your supply. Have faith in the natural balance of the mommy baby bond and in your ability to supply what she needs. Relax as much as you can. Allow the breastfeeding hormones to do their job. Good luck!

Hi J.,
With my first daughter I had a great deal of support from a lactaion consultant though El Camino Hospital, which was very helpful (my daughter was two months premature and I had to pump for three months. I was able to stop pumping and nursed her well over a year). Can you contact a lactation consultant through your hospital or laleche? If you pump after your last feed of the day, your evening supply will increase. You wouldn't need to continue pumping once your supply increases and she seems satisfied. Letting your daughter nurse more frequently in the evening will also help increase your supply.

Your daughter may be hitting a growth spurt, which would explain her need to nurse more right now. By letting her nurse often, your supply will increase and she'll eventually not need to feed as often. You probably already know that if you give her a bottle, your supply will actually decrease.

I've never taken Fenegreek, but have heard it helps. I also have heard of something called "mother's tea," which is sold at Whole Foods. I've been told to drink plenty of water and to be sure to eat enought throughout the day to keep supply up.

Hope things get easier for you!
M.

WOW! I remember breast feeding and all that work! GOOD for you for doing it.
1.If you stress less, relax ,read a magazine while breast feeding/pumping it will help release the flow of the milk.
2.The more you breast feed and or pump the more milk you produce.
3.8 glasses of water per day is ALWAYS GOOD and incorporate orange juice in your diet
4.Choose a dark quiet place for your baby to nurse and there will be less distractions around to take the babies attention away from the breast therefor allowing longer feeding time which will then make your body produce more and more milk :)
5.Also remember that everything that you eat your baby is eating so if you are eating gassy foods that will make the baby gassy then make the babies stomach hurt and decrease her want to eat.
I worked and pumped every 2 hrs and would produce 16oz's in one sitting.I have so much more suggestions for you if you like but didn't want to take up to much of your time.
Good luck and good WORK!:)

My daughter who is breastfeeding ran into the same problem but, she got some Mother's Milk tea by Traditional Medicinal ( at Safeway in the health food isle) It is organic. She drinks two- to three cups a day and now has an " overkill" of a supply. I would give that a try and one supplement bottle a day won't hurt her while your milk is increasing. Try it, I am positive it should work as well for you! Who knows you may have to end up Pumping and saving your extra! Remember too, that it is very important to drink water while you are nursing your baby, ( drinking while you are actually feeding her)! Have fun!!

Hello J. B,

I am a third time mom with a 4 month old girl. This was my first time breastfeeding and my milk supply. I thought was low too. I used mother's tea. You can get it from any natural whole food store. I drunk 8-10 glasses of water a day, plus the tea and I felt my daughter still didn't get enough, but I called the advice nurse who told me as long as she has wet diapers, then she is getting enough for her. They just drink more frequently. My concern was her feeding when I started back to work. I wouldn't pump more than 6oz a day. So I was advised by many mother's who breastfed, if you decide to supplement, to use Good Start by Nestle formula. Most breastfeed babies take to this much better and not to hard to digest for them. My daughter took onto it quickly. So I hope this works and makes you feel some comfort, but we will stay sleeped deprived for a while.

F. J.

Hi J.,
Are you taking birth control pills? My milk supply decreased when I went on birth control pills (even the low dose). I was one of the 4% that are affected that way.
C.

Have you thought about using a pump around night time. I did that for a while until my milk supply was where it should be. If you do not produce enough milk for her, you can use stored milk and the pumping will keep your supply up. Hand pumps work the best.

That's interesting. I've been out of the baby business for a while now, but I breastfed my 3 babies for at least 1year. It's the most wonderful thing, so I can understand why you don't want to resort to formula. I guess my question would be are you getting enough fluids? You really need to drink a lot but I'm sure you're doing that. I wonder if that medication could be having the opposite affect. I don't know - I'm not a huge believer in meds - you have to let nature take it's course. Are you relaxed or are you stressed because that can also have an affect on your milk supply. Just try to hang in there and maybe let her go a little longer between feedings so that your body has adequate time to make more milk. Good luck to you and don't worry, it will happen.

malt is supposed to help - non-alcoholic beer or Ovaltine... Sounds like you need to drink more in general.... Sounds silly, but drink more water all day long too... if not you can increase your milk supply by pumping.

Hi J.,

I just read Marcia's advice to you and it was a good one. I couldn't have said it better myself. Like you, about 5 months my milk supply started to slow down. But the only difference was I had to pump and nurse for certain reasons. When I was pumping I was getting alot of milk then it just seemed to slow down after awhile. I actually found it exhausting to nurse, but I wanted to do everything I can like you to get milk for my daughter. In the end I did end up supplementing with formula but I did half and half since I was pumping. I also tried the fenugreek and it did seem to help in the beginning but then it seemed like it didn't help at all. My sister in law took it and she said it worked for her completley. Drinking alot of fluids and eating frequently as Marcia mentioned is what I was told also plus getting alot of rest too. Nursing more often will help too I was told. Eventually I ended up doing mostly half and half and switching to formula one feeding then breast milk the next. I was only able to last 7 months then at that point I just went completely to formula. I had to be okay with the fact that at least I got to breast feed her as long as I possible can and I am, I have no regrets and my daughter is doing great. I feel that nursing can either be an easy thing for some and harder for others. I think you are doing the best you can and if it ends up that you don't nurse all the way through her 1st birthday don't be hard on yourself. At least you know you tried and that she was able to have some of your breast milk.

My suggestion is try getting some help from a lactation nurse, use all the resources you can then if in the end like I said it doesn't work out don't be so hard on yourself. Good luck.

I.

my baby was like that.. shes still like that now. she likes to take breaks from eating to look around n breathe and then go back few mins later. its a hassle but WORTH every pore!

I had a similar situation. I had a low supply the entire time. My son, who is now 2, just had a large appetite. I had to supplement with a bottle throughout the day. I loved breastfeeding him, but I could not do so throughout the day. I tried pumping and everything I could think of, without taking herbs or pills. I finally, just one day did not have any milk. He ate so much that he would get frustrated, just like your little one. So, I just started giving him the bottle. I used the platex bottles, with the liners and the silicone nipples. Not the yellow ones. Hope this helps!
M.

There is no reason why you can't increase your milk supply. It is a natural phenomenon. Are you drinking enough fluids?

Make sure you are drinking good filtered Water- 48 oz a day at least. As well as juice. caffinated Tea and coffee are not good as they require an equal amount of water to process and therefore dehydrate you. (Do your eyes feel dry, nose dry, skin dry... signs of not enough water.)

I think it is a simple as that. Drink more water.
I am not a big water drinker, I have to play a game to make myself drink by adding up the ounces.

When I was breast-feeding my son, and it seemed I just finished with my daughter for 15 months I was feeling drained. I remember realizing I was very thirsty and drank a huge glass of apple juice and that moment the milk production kicked into high gear. At that time I didn't realize the correlation but I do now.
Good luck,
Gale

PS Not a big fan of drugs, What are Reglan's side effects? You don't need them. You can do this on your own. (And anything in your system will go into your milk).

First of all relax. Stress makes your milk supply low. Sencondly as I was browsing through Rite Aid the other day I saw a tea for breast feeding mothers. In my family we believe hot oatmeal made with milk, and hot chocolate help as well. Lots of rest and stress free environment help as well. Ask your husband to massage your upper back and neck as well. I hope this is of some help.

I was in the same boat, took the stuff you mentioned, talked with La Leche League counselors & my hospital's breastfeeding advice center, read all sorts of books, pumped to try to keep the demand up (have you tried pumping with a high-end machine?)...but you know what? Some people just slow down the production and stressing out about it really does make it worse for both of you. I resisted the formula but in the end we went to it as a supplement along with breastfeeding. Eventually we had a complete transition and she's fine. Rather than focus on what might not be able to happen (continue full-time breastfeeding) try to focus on the fact that she's already had 4 solid months of nothing but breastmilk, will still get some breastmilk and both of you can find some peace. Formula isn't all evil and breastfeeding isn't the saviour for everything. I finally dried up completely around 9 months as was so relieved when the battle to "do it all" was over. And you know, my daughter (17 months) didn't even have a cold or anything for the first year and shows no signs of any allergies so she's at least one data point that says it's not the end of the health world if you need to supplement with formula. Good luck! Your daughter is lucky to have a mom who cares this much to do the best she can.

Are you dieting, by chance? I tried to start weight watchers with the points allotted for nursing moms just to lose that last few pounds, but after losing 3 pounds in 2 weeks my milk all but dried up. i went back to eating when i'm hungry, and drinking a ton of water. i had to nurse my baby (4 mo) every hour or two for about five days and my milk came right back. you might also try starting your daughter on rice cereal just before bedtime, to tide her over. good luck!

You might just be a bit tired. I know that there is an herbal tea called Mother's Milk, It helped me when my milk stopped when my baby was in the hospital. I also attempted to pump to encourage more production.

Make sure you are drinking lots of water too.

My youngest was a terrible nurser as a result of lack of muscle control in his mouth (not diagnoses until he was two when he went to a speech therapist). I was exhausted nursing every hour and a half and he was still hungry! I'd pump to get my milk going and pump after he nursed to keep them stimulated. Eventually I added formula to the mix which helped him out. He didn't have problem going between bottle and breast, and was much better when I stopped the breast feeding at about 8 months. I've heard often about the "beer" suggestion. Good luck

eating brown rice and or oatmeal (whole, not quick cooking) will help produce more milk and its good for you.
Be sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, you need to be well hydrated. Most teas have caffeine and it will dehydrate you, so does coffee..so drink plenty of water. Dont hesitate to pump your own breast milk..supply=demand=supply. good luck, keep up the great work, C.

I don't know what you could do to get your milk supply up. When I was breastfeeding and my daughter kept waking up hungry, I started feeding her a little baby cereal right before bed made with formula in it or pumped breast milk to hold her over better till morning. Just make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids and taking your vitamins.
M. (Mother of 2 girls ages 3 & an almost 5yr. old)

Hi, 1st why are you "on" things? Hopefully all discussed with your baby's doctor. I always pumped to produce extra milk, 1st at the end of her feedings then in between or late night. Try it and freeze the extra so your husband can feed her too. Also, maybe she's pulling away because those supplements are changing the taste of your milk? ...and hopefully you're already drinking twice as much water than pre-pregnancy and eating abundant and healthy meals. good luck

Hi!
Main advice: Skip schedule, just keep breastfeeding whenever she wants to eat. The more frequent you breastfeed the more milk you will produce. And, one thing to really increase is to breastfeed every second hour for 24 hrs, then you definitely will produce much more milk. Trust your baby, and your body!
Hang in there!
A.

Oatmeal! Someone told me about it and, though skeptical, I added a bowl of good quality instant oatmeal in the morning. Magic! I also make oatmeal cookies and to have on hand eat a few when I start to get a little low in volume. The other thing is water. Not the normal 8 glasses a day but a full gallon. Somehow there's a critical tipping point around a gallon. I would never have known this if my husband hadn't been pushing fluids at me at the hospital. If I drink a normal healthy amount during the day I start to run low. But, realizing what I've been doing, I'll chug 64 oz of water (and maybe a handful of oatmeal cookies ;) ) and within a few hours I'm full to bursting. It works every time. (PS: I've found Nature's Path a lot more appealing than most instant oatmeal).

Try drinking half of a beer...the hops is wonderful for a milk producing.

I have been through the same thing, three times...I think sometimes we forget that our babies are growing at great neck speed, therefore eating more as the growth spurts happen, and sometimes it takes a few to several days to increase the milk supply, the whole supply and demand thing...anyway, ruling out any problems, such as infections, etc, be patients and make sure you are getting plenty of rest and nutrition, it sounds like you are doing the right things.
Also, each baby is different, I had one that I supplemented with a little cereal as early as 4 months and another that was on a breast milk diet only to six months. For the 4 month old I'd put a little runny cereal on my finger and let her suckle it, tiny bits at first and eventually my milk production increased, but the cereal slowly became part of her diet. There is no strict recipe for an of this. But for you, rest, eat well, rest some more, exercise and rest some more! Good Luck

Hi J., I had the same problem with milk supply. My son never latched on so I pumped for 5 and half months until I got the flu and decided I was done. So what I did to help increase milk supply was drink lots of water. Ate oatmeal everyday, drank mothers milk tea and tried to get a much sleep as possible, try to relax when she is latched on and that should help with a "let down" Some mothers swear by eating lots of ice cream. Also I don't think that is the healthiest option. I recommend finding a group on Yahoo groups to join that is specific to milk supply. I used "Pump Moms" and I learned a lot from the group. They also have good advise on storing breat milk if you find you need to do that. I wish you the best of luck!

Hello, I have 4 children soon to be 5 and I had low milk supply and breast feeding issues with 2 of them. I had tried everything that you are taking now and nothing worked and then with my last son the lactation consultant recommended Domperidone. It is a medicine that has been around for along time and is for heart burn or stomach upset with no side effects. The only down fall is they do not carry it at most pharmacies, it has to be made at a compound pharmacy( one that still mixes their own medication like they used to in the old days) I got the perscription from my peditrician and called Lauden Pharmacy in Capitola- ###-###-####. They let me fax them the perscription and filled it and mailed it to me with in 2 days. My milk supply increased alot in a short period of time and I stayed on the medicine until I was done nursing so I would not shock my body. I nursed my last son for 2 years and had no side effects. Also make sure you drink tons and tons of water. Good luck and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

M.

The Chinese will make catfish soup with papaya and a little ginger (add raw peanuts optional)- it is a traditional soup to boost milk production for new mothers.
Choose a yellow ripe papaya, but into chunks, boil in soup. The ginger will take some fishy smell/taste away, and add some heat to the soup. If not catfish, maybe other white fish. the soup may taste strange, but it works.
Otherwise, try to eat papaya as fruit or make into smoothie and see if milk production goes up.

All I know is that I am feeling the same way...I work 2 days a week so I pump those 2 days...it takes me all day (pumping 3x for 10 minutes each time) to get a 5 oz bottle! I can't wait to see what Mom's suggest to increase milk supply. I am also taking the Fenugreek...I have not seen too much of a change:(

I had issues creating enough milk with all 3 of my kids. The best advice I can give is to pump more than you need. Pump inbetween feedings and then use that milk to top off at night. The increased pumping will increase your milk supply. For a couple of days it will be hard because you will feel depleted when you nurse. But shortly your boddy will start to produce to the extra-demand. That's how people with twins make so much milk. Drink lots of water too! Best of luck

Hi J.,
I had the same problem. I did two things. In the morning after the first feeding I would pump. Usually my son would only eat on one breast, so I had a full breast to pump. My husband would then give my son a bottle at night. I would be on standby just in case he needed more milk. I also took an herbal supplement - More Milk Plus by Mother Love. YOu can buy it on line or at Sunrise Natural Foods. I noticed a difference within a couple days after I took this. The only drawback was that after taking it as recommended for a month I think it was upsetting my son's stomach. I would also recommend talking to a lactation consultant at your hospital. They might have some good tips. I have not had to use formula and am not using the herbs anymore. My milk supply rebounded. Also, if you are taking birth control this can lower and even deplete your supply. I had to stop taking the pill and within a couple of days I also noticed a difference. If you are taking the pill I would stop taking it immediately. Best of luck to you!!!

Hi J. -
Your baby may be doing that (annoying) behavior to tell your body to produce more milk. That's what I learned at La Leche League.

If you're already drinking plenty of liquids, eating a healthy diet, and taking fenugreek, I'd hesitate to do more. I think you should give your body a few days to catch up, and try to accept that the baby and your body are re-negotiating the milk supply. She's probably got a growth spurt coming on.

Best luck to you and baby girl!

Just a couple of ideas. First, try not to get stressed. I know, easier said then done. I would make sure that you are properly hydrated. Dehydration is abig problem that is often missed. You need to drink plenty of fluids. I used to drink a full glass of water before, during, and after each feeding. Secondly, there is a homeopathic tea called Mother Milk that you can drink to increase your milk production. It might also help with the stress. Make yourself a cup an hour or two before bed. I hope this helps. Goood luck and hang in there.

Try eating oatmeal. I have heard several people swear by it. She could be responding to something you are eating earlier in the day that she doesn't like the taste of. If this is stressing you out, she could also be responding to your stress, and that is making her upset. It could also be GERD, or maybe your let down is comeing too fast for her. My 2nd child would pull away a couple of times, and then throw up, usually at the last feeding of day. I ended up switching one sided feedings. Your body will adjust to whatever you decided to do. Hope that helps. Good Luck!

K.

The amount of breast milk you have depends on supply and demand. Try not to supplement with formula, you'll sabotage your supply even more. Keep nursing her as much as you can, and maybe acquire a breast pump and pump in between feedings. The more you stimulate your breasts this way, the more they should produce. Try not to stress about it either (I know, easier said than done)the stress hormones you release could be affecting your let down. When your milk doesn't let down quick enough for your daughter she could be getting frustrated and pulling off, consequently she isn't feeding long enough to stimulate your milk production. Try Chamomile tea, and some relaxation techniques, like yogic breathing or meditation. Or try visualization. Visualize your milk letting down. Check out this web site for resources and support. It's an awesome site for breastfeeding mom's. http://www.breastfeeding.com/
Good luck, and keep on breastfeeding. :-)